According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the three resorts owned by the Mueller family, will be sold to CNL Lifestyle Properties Inc., a real-estate investment trust based in Orlando, Fla., for $132 million.

The REIT is expected to close a deal today and an official announcement is expected soon.

I've visited and wrote about these three resorts extensively, (check it out in the categories' section at left) and I don't yet know if this is good news for skiers and riders, but it is sad news in general. Tim and Diane Mueller have been long time, hands on owners of Okemo and brought the same level of attention to details and quality when they took over Mount Sunapee and Crested Butte.

$132 million is indeed good news for the Muellers and I hope the new owners will maintain the same family feel at the resorts. I'll know more soon, so don't touch that dial.

Martin Griff / The TimesTim and Diane Mueller celebrated the 50th anniversary of Okemo in 2006. That's a younger version of the couple in the black and white photo

UPDATEHere is a link to the online Wall Street Journal article. Af first I couldn't find or read the full article in free mode.

An important line to note from the WSJ story is:

"Triple Peaks LLC of Ludlow, Vt., which currently owns and operates the ski areas CNL will buy, will continue as operator".

Triple Peaks is the Mueller's company.

UPDATE to the UPDATE

When you click on the link, you get the first line and a message
"To continue reading subscribe now".

So if you want to read it for free, you'll have to do your own Google search.